Hythe Civic Society Celebrates 75 Years

Hythe Civic Society is delighted to announce its 75^th Anniversary which is being celebrated in a number of special ways.

The Society came into being on 2 February 1945 when the Hythe Citizens’ Union (the forerunner of the Hythe Civic Society) was formed.  The Citizens’ Union changed its name to Hythe Civic Society in the mid-1960s and now has some 750 members.

To start the special year, the Society held a well-supported “Anniversary Quiz” in the packed Tin Tabernacle on 2 February – exactly 75 years to the day!  An anniversary cake was cut by the Chairman, Crispin Davies, and the Vice Chairman, Betty Black, to mark the occasion.

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Society will extend its 75^th Anniversary Year to allow for a full twelve months of celebrations.  A second quiz is planned for October and a third for February 2021.  A very special summer event is being set up for 2021 and this will bring the extended Anniversary Year to an end with a bang!

As a lasting reminder of the occasion, 75 trees will be planted in Hythe – one for each year since the Society’s inception.  An embryo partnership has been established – involving the Society, Hythe Town Council and the Hythe Green Preservation Society – to plant some 20 trees on the corner of the Green by the Range Road industrial estate.  The scheme is in its early planning stages with planting anticipated in late autumn 2020.  The Civic Society’s Patron, Lord Boyce – Warden of the Cinque Ports – will be invited to plant the first of the 20 trees.

The Society will also publish a colour booklet, “Our time in Hythe, 75th Anniversary Edition”, celebrating notable events in the last 75 years of Hythe’s history and the contributions that the Society has made to those events.  This will be free to members.  To join Hythe Civic Society and receive a free copy of the booklet visit the website at www.hythecivicsociety.org

What was not planned for in this 75^th anniversary year was the Covid-19 pandemic.  The Society was, and remains, concerned for the economic health of Hythe High Street.  As practical support it produced, “Open Hythe”, a list of all the shops and eateries that were open in Hythe.    The list was widely circulated and was greatly appreciated by both traders and residents.

Crispin Davies, Chairman of Hythe Civic Society said,” I am privileged to be Chairman in this Anniversary year and look forward to involving members in the planned events that will not only provide fun but also a lasting legacy for a greener Hythe”.

All these events are in addition to the Society’s normal activities of scrutinising planning applications;  Hythe in Bloom; Hythe Local History Group; a talks programme in winter; undertaking projects on Eaton Lands and at Mackeson Square; maintaining an archive of Hythe material; summer guided walks around historic Hythe; bi-monthly newsletter; and, publishing booklets on various aspects of Hythe.

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